Sectional portable step



Sept. 27, 1932. w. SHERWOOD SECTIONAL PORTABLE STEP Fil May 4, 1931 1 7gwuenioz Wa/fzr 55 6/14 00 0 Patented Sept. 27, 1932 WALTER snnnwoon, orBOLIVAR, NEW YORK sEcrIoNAL PORTABLE s'rnr Application filed May 4,1931. Serial No. 535,032.

This invention relates to sectional and portable steps or stairs adaptedto be produced of concrete or like cementitious or moldable material. Aprincipal object of the invention is to provide a construction of stepsor stairs formed of sectional elements that are adapted to be separatelymolded in suitable forms and then assembled to form a. unit of therequisite number of steps that may be easily set up in any desiredlocation as a strong and rigid structure having all the advantages of anintegrally produced step structure and presenting an appearance that ismore finished in detail and hence more attractive. A further object isto provide a construction of the kind stated that requires a minimumnumber of sectional elements that are equipped with provision for mutualinterlooking so as to involve minimum requirements in the way ofadditional bonding members to hold the structure assembled. Theforegoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will bebetter understood from the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing and the distinctive features ofnovelty will be thereafter pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing apreferred form of step construction embodying the invention. Figure 2 isa plan view thereof. Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken online 8-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a detail elevation showing one of thesectional elements before assemblage. Figure 5 is a similar detail viewshowing in plan the element of F igure 4: and showing also'portions ofthe sectional elements which are adapted to be interlocked therewith.Figure 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view showing one end portion ofone of the steps, and Figure 7 is a sectional detail illustrative of thebase setting of the steps, taken on line 77 of Figure 1.

1010a indicates end rest members presenting vertically spaced surfacesin stepped relation to provide end rest areas for the respective steps,illustratively shown as three in number indicated at 11, 12, 13. Theseend rest members are of a requisite thickness and crete or like materialand their seating areas which receive the end portions of the steps haveoutwardly flaring dovetailed recesses 14, 15, 16. The end portions ofthe steps are provided on their undersides with correspondingly shapeddove-tailed projections, 17, which are adapted to interfit with, andseat into,therespective recesses, 14, 15, 16. the end rest members 1010aare provided with a plurality of outwardly countersunk holes, 18,therethrough, illustratively shown as three in number andspaced apartvertically and widthwise of the steps. Through these holes are passedtie-rods 19, which extend lengthwise through the steps with their headsfitting into the countersinks of one of said end members and nuts on theends thereof fitting into the countersinks in the other end member.These rods are thus adapted to hold the parts in assembled relation asthe parts are put together. Upon the finishing of the steps these rodsmay be left in place if desired and the countersunk holes at the end maybe pointed up and obliterated with cement or mortar the same as used inmaking the steps. It will be noted, however, that since the cementelements of the steps are completely and effectively interlocked by theplacing of the step membersin position with the described fitting of theprojections 17 into the dove-tailed recesses therefor, there is no realneed of these tie-rods, and hence they may be removed entirely when thesteps are assembled and the holes 18 obliterated with cement. The endrest members 1010a are provided on their inner sides with seatingformations adapted to interlock with the ends of riser members 20. Thisinterlocking provision may be embodied in different forms but as hereinillustratively shown the end rest members have vertically undercutrecesses 20 produced on their inner sides into which fit correspondingbeveled extremities 21a of the risers 20. Thus the risers 20' are heldsecurely in place as the steps 11, 12, 13'are fitted in place sincethereby the end rest members are held against outward displacement.

Suitable means may be provided for afford.

'ing support for the individual steps intermediate of the lengththereof. Such means may be embodied in various forms within thecontemplation of the invention. One suitable form of such supports isprovided by producing brackets extending inwardly from the risers 20,there being two of such brackets indicated at 22 formed on each risersuitably spaced apart. It will be understood that the tops of thesebrackets afiord a supporting area on which the stepsset and rest, thussubstantially strengthening and reinforcing the formation. It is withinthe contemplation of the invention either to produce all of the stepsalike, or to modify the lower step so as to enhance the attractivenessof the construction. As herein shown the lower step is made longer andfor this purpose the end rest members are formed with outwardly extendmgcurved pro ections 23 to provlde seating areas for correspondinglyextended and rounded extremities 13a of the lowermost step 13. I havefound that from the standpoint of permanence and stabillity, it is alsodesirable to provide a flexible and accommodating base seat for the endrest members. For this purpose 24 indicates a base provided with seatingrecesses 24a adapted to receive the bottoms of the end rest members10l0a. In accordance with my invention, this. seating recess is linedwith a suitable'thic'kness of flexible yielding material 25, such asroofing paper or the like. WVith the parts thus assembled all joints andseams may be easily pointed up and obliterated with cement or motor, sothat the finished construction presents the appearance and advantages ofan integral unit.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and Itherefore desire the present construction to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to theappended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate thescope of the invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sectional cement step construction comprising end rest membershaving seating areas in stepped relation, each of said areas presentingan outwardly flaring recess, steps fitted to said seating areas withdove-tail projections engaging and fitting said recesses, and risersalsofitted to said end rest members, said end rest members havingundercut seat formations receiving correspondingly shaped extremities ofsaid risers.

2. A sectional cement step construction comprising end rest membershaving seating areas in stepped relation, steps fitting said areas, andrisers also fitted to said end rest members, said risers and said endrest mempresenting dovetail projections fitted to said seating areas andinterengaging with said recesses, risers presenting beveled extremitiesfitting undercut seats formed in said end rest members, and tie-rodsengaging said end rest members, said members having countersunkapertures in which the heads of said rods are seated.

In witness whereof I have affixed my name to this specification.

. WALTER SHERWOOD.

